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Feds hold hearing tonight on wolf delisting

The federal government will hold a public information meeting Tuesday evening in Grand Rapids on its plan to remove gray wolves from the endangered species list.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says gray wolf populations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan have recovered enough that they can be managed by the states and tribes.

The agency tried to delist the wolves in the past, but failed due to court challenges. It hopes this time the action will be permanent.

At the public meeting, Forest Service officials will present information and answer questions from the public about the plan.

The agency is also starting a review of the status of the eastern wolf, which was recently determined to be a separate species from the gray wolf. Both live in the western Great Lakes. The eastern wolf is not currently listed as endangered.

Last spring, Congress removed wolf protections in Montana and Idaho.

The meeting is scheduled for Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.